Inside the box: Complementary fragmentation with LC-MS for Metabolite Identification

Feb 7, 2025 | Blogs, Pharma, ZenoTOF 7600 system | 0 comments

Read Time: 2 Minutes

Introduction

Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry is commonly used for Met ID but confident soft spot identification is not always possible. Imagine the advantage of unambiguous metabolite identification using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) reducing the need for additional safety testing during drug discovery. Quickly and easily generate the information you need using routine assays that are robust and efficient, enabling confident decision-making while also saving time and money. Learn more >

Streamline Met ID with additional fragmentation information

Metabolite identification is a key task during drug discovery to establish safety and efficacy of a drug candidate. LC-MS assays for metabolite identification typically use collision-induced dissociation (CID) to fragment ions for structural elucidation, and soft-spot identification. With challenging metabolites, CID doesn’t produce sufficient fragment ions or help with labile modifications and a clear identification cannot be made. This can lead to the need for additional testing to meet regulatory requirements.

What is electron-activated dissociate (EAD)?

EAD is a fragmentation method available on the ZenoTOF 7600 system that causes ions in an LC-MS/MS experiment to fragment in locations that are different from where they fragment with CID, providing additional information to scientists. For metabolite identification, this could mean confident identification of the metabolite and localization of the site of metabolism, removing the need for additional safety testing.

Curious to know more? Watch our on-demand Met ID webinars, here? LINK WILL COME FROM HERE https://sciex.kapost.com/posts/pharma-webinar-content-hub-lp-and-typ

The rules have changed

Regulated laboratories are evolving faster than ever. New analytical modalities, higher sample throughput, increasing regulatory scrutiny, and leaner teams are reshaping how work gets done. At the same time, expectations for data integrity, standardization, and operational efficiency continue to increase complexity and/or scope. In this environment, LC-MS software is no longer simply an instrument control platform—it has become a critical part of a laboratory’s quality management system. The question is no longer whether your lab has changed, but whether your software has evolved to support the way regulated labs operate today, and if they are ready and able to meet the demands, they will face tomorrow.

The wakeup call

Analyst software has long been a trusted foundation in regulated LC-MS laboratories—and for many, it still performs reliably today. But regulated environments are evolving faster than ever. As labs transition to Windows 11, strengthen cybersecurity policies, modernize IT infrastructure, and prepare for future compliance expectations, software decisions are no longer just about what works today—they’re about managing tomorrow’s risk. Analyst will not be supported on Windows 11. While some labs may continue operating in unsupported environments temporarily, the bigger question is: when that risk becomes reality, will your lab be reacting under pressure—or executing a planned mitigation strategy with confidence?

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Posted by

Kirsten Craven

Kirsten Craven is the Senior Global Marketing Manager for Pharma global strategic marketing at SCIEX. In this role, she manages strategic marketing for the pharmaceutical industry. Kirsten spent the first part of her career working in laboratories across multiple industries before moving into product management, and most recently pharma marketing.

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